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Seen At 11: Research Finds Your Hair Could Impact Your Earnings

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Everyone knows how frustrating a 'bad hair day' can be, but what can a 'good hair day' do for you?

A growing number of women and men said the secret to their success is actually their hair.

"I work in a very competitive industry," Ashley Barton explained.

Barton does everything she can to get a leg up on the competition.

"So if it's paying an extra few dollars to get a blow out one morning before a big meeting, so I can be even better than my competition, I'm going to do it," she said.

Barton's appearance does not affect her ability to do her job as a publicist, but it does impact her success, she said.

As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, research suggests she may be onto something.

"One of our papers showed those companies that had better looking executives had better sales," Economist, Dan Hamermesh, explained.

Hamermesh found that attractive people earn an average of 3 to 4 percent more than their counterparts.

It's a statistic that doesn't come as much of a surprise to stylists at the Eddie Plishti Salon on the Upper East Side.

"I think your resume is great, but your overall appearance will land you the job," Plishti explained, "It is a very competitive city, you have to look perfect to keep up."

The salon's owner said for his clients having their hair done before a big meeting or interview is just as important as any other preparation.

"They want to look polished, they want to look chic," Plishti said.

Beauty editor Julie Ricevuto said today, women know when they walk into a room their hair can speak volumes, even before they say a word.

"Blondes have been seen as more attractive, but maybe not taken as seriously as their brunette counterparts," Ricevuto said, "Long hair has been seen as a little more causal."

Generally speaking, Ricevuto said, short hair exudes more confidence and professionalism, as does smooth hair as opposed to curly which can be perceived as too free-spirited, even wild.

Third generation barber Joe Magnetico said the same holds true for men. Hair can make you or break you even when you don't have any.

"The 'it' style today is short back, sides, a little longer on top," Magnetico said, "Some guys want high shine, some guys want low shine, others matte finish."

His best advice is to know your audience.

"People judge you by how you look, you don't want to go and get your car repaired by a guy in a three-piece suit, you don't want to borrow money from a guy with grease under his nails," he said.

Studies have found that taste and personal preference regarding hair has real implications on business relationships even though they may be on a subconscious level.

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